Folding comb



July 14, 1964 e. HANSEN 3,140,719

FOLDING COMB Filed Dec. 21. 1960 United States Patent 3,140,719 FOLDING COMB George Hansen, 860 57th St., Brooklyn 20, N.Y. Filed Dec. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 77,440 3 Claims. (Cl. 132151) This invention relates to combs and more particularly to a folding pocket comb.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding comb which can be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse, which can be effectively opened and closed whenever required.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a folding comb of the type described which is substantially cylindrically shaped in a collapsed storage position, which can be readily manipulated into an open position in a simple and easy manner.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of the folding comb made in accordance with the present invention in an open position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with the parts in a closed storage position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a certain control member forming a part of the prese ent invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing, a folding comb 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main housing 12 of substantially cylindrical shape having one closed end, and an opposite end within which a control member is mounted, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

A spine member 14 secured within the main housing 12 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart pivot pins 16, each of which pivotally supports a comb tooth 18 for selective movement between the open outwardly extended position shown in FIGURE 1 and the closed folded position shown in FIGURE 2. These teeth 18 are movable through a longitudinal slot 20 along the length of the main housing 12 so as to facilitate the movement thereof.

A control member 22 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart teeth 24 defining a plurality of intermediate recesses 26, is rotatably supported within the main housing 12 and controlled by a knob 28 extending outwardly from the open end of the housing 12. An arcuate slot 30 in the inner portion of the knob 28 slidably receives a detent 32 formed in the wall of the housing 12, thus preventing longitudinal displacement of the control member 22 and guiding the control member for 3,149,719 Patented July 14, 1964 rotational movement between arcuately adjusted positions.

In the folded position of the comb teeth 18, as shown in FIGURE 2, the control member 22 is rotatable sufficiently to enable the smooth edge thereof to close the longitudinal slot 20 in the main housing 12 to retain the teeth 18 in the inwardly folded position. However, in order to facilitate the use of the comb, the control member 22 is rotated in the opposite direction, thus clearing the slot 20 for the outward movement of the teeth 18 into a perpendicularly related position, as shown in FIG- URE 1. With the teeth 18 in this position, the control member 22 is then rotated in the opposite direction so that the teeth 24 thereof extend between the comb teeth 28, and thus lock the teeth 18 in the outwardly extended position shown in FIGURE 1. In this position, the teeth 13 are usable in a conventional manner as a comb, and may be readily moved to the storage position simply by disengaging the teeth 24 therefrom and opening the slot 20 to allow the teeth 18 to move inwardly, as shown in FIGURE 2, after which the control member 22 is rotated to the sealed position blocking the slot 25).

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A folding comb comprising an elongated housing with a plurality of comb teeth pivotally mounted in the housing about axis of rotation at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing, said comb teeth axis of rotation extending longitudinally for a substantial portion of the housing, including a longitudinal slot in the housing aligned with the said teeth in combination with a control member mounted on the housing by means which restrain the member from longitudinal motion and permit sliding motion of the member in a direction across and at right angles to the slot, said member being movable from a first position clearing the slot to a second position partially obstructing the slot and to a third position completely obstructing the slot, said member having means which interlock with the comb teeth when the member is in the second said position thereby preventing rotation of the comb teeth.

2. A folding comb as in claim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical and the member is swivelled within the housing and includes an external actuating knob which seals one end of the housing.

3. A pocket comb comprising a head assembly including a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot, a longitudinal member rotatably mounted in the housing, and means on said member engageable between the individual teeth.

Norton Ian. 11, 1898 Hamparson et al. Nov. 18, 1952 

3. A POCKET COMB COMPRISING A HEAD ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TUBULAR HOUSING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT THEREIN, A SERIES OF SPACED INDEPENDENT FOLDABLE TEETH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING AND OPERABLE IN THE SLOT, A LONGITUDINAL MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING, AND MEANS ON SAID MEMBER ENGAGEABLE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL TEETH. 